Metal−dielectric parabolic antenna for directing single photons
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Morozov, S
Gaio, Michele
Maier, stefan
Sapienza, R
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Quantum emitters radiate light omni-directionally, making it hard to collect and use the generated photons. Here, we propose a three-dimensional metal–dielectric parabolic antenna surrounding an individual quantum dot as a source of collimated single photons, which can then be easily extracted and manipulated. Our fabrication method relies on a single optically induced polymerization step once the selected emitter has been localized by confocal microscopy. Compared to conventional nanoantennas, our geometry does not require near-field coupling, and it is, therefore, very robust against misalignment issues and minimally affected by absorption in the metal. The parabolic antenna provides one of the largest reported experimental directivities (D = 106) and the lowest beam divergences (Θ1/2 = 13.5°) and a broadband operation over all of the visible and near-infrared range together with extraction efficiency of more than 96%, offering a practical advantage for quantum technological applications.
Date Issued
2018-05-09
Date Acceptance
2018-03-28
Citation
Nano Letters, 2018, 18 (5), pp.3060-3065
ISSN
1530-6984
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Start Page
3060
End Page
3065
Journal / Book Title
Nano Letters
Volume
18
Issue
5
Copyright Statement
© 2018 American Chemical Society. ACS AuthorChoice - This is an open access article published under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the author and source are cited.
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Grant Number
EP/P033431/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Technology
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chemistry, Physical
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Physics, Applied
Physics, Condensed Matter
Chemistry
Science & Technology - Other Topics
Materials Science
Physics
Optical antenna
nanophotonics
quantum dot
single photon emitter
directional emission
directivity
direct laser writing
ROOM-TEMPERATURE
QUANTUM-DOT
UNIDIRECTIONAL EMISSION
CDSE/CDS NANOCRYSTALS
FLUORESCENCE EMISSION
PLASMONIC ANTENNAS
OPTICAL ANTENNA
BLINKING
COLLECTION
Optical antenna
direct laser writing
directional emission
directivity
nanophotonics
quantum dot
single photon emitter
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2018-03-29